Abstract Introduction Stroke survivors often fall during walking. To reduce fall risk, gait testing and training with avoidance of virtual obstacles is gaining popularity. However, it is unknown whether and how virtual obstacle crossing is associated with fall risk. Aim The present study assessed whether obstacle crossing characteristics are reliable and assessed differences in stroke survivors who prospectively experienced falls or no falls. Method We recruited twenty-nine community dwelling chronic stroke survivors. Participants crossed five virtual obstacles with increasing lengths. After a break, the test was repeated to assess test-retest reliability. For each obstacle length and trial, we determined; success rate, leading limb preference, pre and post obstacle distance, margins of stability, toe clearance, and crossing step length and speed. Subsequently, fall incidence was monitored using a fall calendar and monthly phone calls over a six-month period. Results Test-retest reliability was poor, but improved with increasing obstacle-length. Twelve participants reported at least one fall. No association of fall incidence with any of the obstacle crossing characteristics was found. Discussion Given the absence of height of the virtual obstacles, obstacle avoidance may have been relatively easy, allowing participants to cross obstacles in multiple ways, increasing variability of crossing characteristics and reducing the association with fall risk. Conclusion These finding cast some doubt on current protocols for testing and training of obstacle avoidance in stroke rehabilitation.
LINK
This article will discuss the role of environmentalism in environmental education (EE) and education for sustainable development (ESD) in the context of ecopedagogy. Ecopedagogy calls for the remaking of capitalist practices and seeks to re-engage democracy to include multispecies interests in the face of our current global ecological crisis. In this article, the written reports by international business students on the documentary film If a Tree Falls about a radical environmental movement will be discussed. The aim of this article is to reflect upon the question of whether confrontational questions posed by radical environmentalism can move students to re-examine certain central assumptions within their own society and education. The analysis of students’ individual writing assignments after viewing the film is placed in the context of the discussion about the aims of education in relation to environmental advocacy. This case study seeks to provide an example of how environmental advocacy and the objective of pluralistic education can be combined as mutually supportive means of achieving both democratic learning and learning for environmental sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1177/0973408215569119 https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenkopnina/
MULTIFILE
Background: Steady-state gait characteristics appear promising as predictors of falls in stroke survivors. However, assessing how stroke survivors respond to actual gait perturbations may result in better fall predictions. We hypothesize that stroke survivors who fall have a diminished ability to adequately adjust gait characteristics after gait is perturbed. This study explored whether gait characteristics of perturbed gait differ between fallers and non fallers. Method: Chronic stroke survivors were recruited by clinical therapy practices. Prospective falls were monitored over a six months follow up period. We used the Gait Real-time Analysis Interactive Lab (GRAIL, Motekforce Link B.V., Amsterdam) to assess gait. First we assessed gait characteristics during steady-state gait and second we examined gait responses after six types of gait perturbations. We assessed base of support gait characteristics and margins of stability in the forward and medio-lateral direction. Findings: Thirty eight stroke survivors complete our gait protocol. Fifteen stroke survivors experienced falls. All six gait perturbations resulted in a significant gait deviation. Forward stability was reduced in the fall group during the second step after a ipsilateral perturbation. Interpretation: Although stability was different between groups during a ipsilateral perturbation, it was caused by a secondary strategy to keep up with the belt speed, therefore, contrary to our hypothesis fallers group of stroke survivors have a preserved ability to cope with external gait perturbations as compared to non fallers. Yet, our sample size was limited and thereby, perhaps minor group differences were not revealed in the present study.
LINK
Horse riding falls under the “Sport for Life” disciplines, where a long-term equestrian development can provide a clear pathway of developmental stages to help individuals, inclusive of those with a disability, to pursue their goals in sport and physical activity, providing long-term health benefits. However, the biomechanical interaction between horse and (disabled) rider is not wholly understood, leaving challenges and opportunities for the horse riding sport. Therefore, the purpose of this KIEM project is to start an interdisciplinary collaboration between parties interested in integrating existing knowledge on horse and (disabled) rider interaction with any novel insights to be gained from analysing recently collected sensor data using the EquiMoves™ system. EquiMoves is based on the state-of-the-art inertial- and orientational-sensor system ProMove-mini from Inertia Technology B.V., a partner in this proposal. On the basis of analysing previously collected data, machine learning algorithms will be selected for implementation in existing or modified EquiMoves sensor hardware and software solutions. Target applications and follow-ups include: - Improving horse and (disabled) rider interaction for riders of all skill levels; - Objective evidence-based classification system for competitive grading of disabled riders in Para Dressage events; - Identifying biomechanical irregularities for detecting and/or preventing injuries of horses. Topic-wise, the project is connected to “Smart Technologies and Materials”, “High Tech Systems & Materials” and “Digital key technologies”. The core consortium of Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Rosmark Consultancy and Inertia Technology will receive feedback to project progress and outcomes from a panel of international experts (Utrecht University, Sport Horse Health Plan, University of Central Lancashire, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences), combining a strong mix of expertise on horse and rider biomechanics, veterinary medicine, sensor hardware, data analysis and AI/machine learning algorithm development and implementation, all together presenting a solid collaborative base for derived RAAK-mkb, -publiek and/or -PRO follow-up projects.
Bicycle manufacturing currently falls behind the fast technological developments in automotive industries. We propose to design, develop and test a smart cycling eco-system where bicycles communicate in realtime with each other, and with the urban transport infrastructure (e.g. traffic lights) to optimize the use and improve traffic safety, economical value, and efficiency. This require technologies and mechanisms to allow monitoring the bike, understanding the cyclist and the context, as well as data sharing between cyclists, industry, service providers, government, and urban planners. The new eco-system can drive decision-making, behaviour incentivisation, and ultimately investment, across government, and beyond. A key ingredient is an AI-enabled IoT ecosystem in which data is securely collected, shared, processed in combination with other data sources, and made available to establish new services. This allows to reliably identify relevant events (like dangerous situations), detect trends (like decreasing performance of components, allowing maintenance to be performed in time), and give new insights to the user (such as health and performance).
